Billboard company's shameless warning

Having lost a big appellate court case, Clear Channel Outdoor is required to remove 79 digital signs in the city of L.A. But rather than go quietly, the company now claims that removing the billboards will greatly hurt public safety. It's a grossly cynical appeal aimed at emotions rather than common sense. I just hope it doesn't work. From the Daily News:

In a letter sent Friday to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the City Council and other city officials, a Clear Channel Outdoor attorney argued the digital billboards provide vital public safety messages. Attorney Sara Lee Keller sent officials a brief report detailing how Clear Channel Outdoor flashed public information messages during the San Diego (405) Freeway weekend closure in September, and the company's role in providing Amber Alerts. "As this (report) makes clear for all to see, turning off the digital signs would not only impact Clear Channel Outdoor, it would have serious consequences for public safety," Keller wrote. "For example, nearly 100 signs used for Amber Alerts for at-risk children, earthquake alerts and traffic emergencies would be turned off."